September 29, 2025

Monday, September 29, 2025  
Moving Forward: With the Three Simple Rules  
“Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11  

Now that we’ve wrapped up our sermon series on John Wesley’s Three Simple Rules: Do No Harm, Do Good, Stay in Love with God, how do we keep living these rules for a Christian life moving forward.   One way is to continue reading Practice the Pause, but also to practice the pause. Pausing gives us room to breathe, to reflect, and to allow the Holy Spirit to shape our words and actions before we step into them. In those pauses, we can return to the rules that Wesley believed shaped a holy life.   Do No Harm: This means resisting the urge to add to the brokenness of the world. Harm spreads quickly, like spoiled yeast in dough. Practicing the pause helps us notice when we might wound with our words, dismiss someone with our actions, or ignore a neighbor in need.   Do Good: Doing good is like adding flavor to life, small acts of kindness and mercy enrich the world around us. The pause opens our eyes to opportunities: a kind word, a helping hand, a prayer offered on someone’s behalf.  Stay in Love with God: The essential ingredient of Christian life is not our striving, but God’s love poured out for us. Through prayer, worship, Scripture, and acts of mercy, we stay connected to that love. The pause reminds us to return to God, to breathe in grace, and to live from it.  
Reflection: Where in my life do I need to pause more often before I speak or act?   How can practicing the pause help me avoid doing harm, especially in conversations, relationships, or online interactions? Where do I see opportunities to “add flavor” by doing good, even in small ways?   Which practices help me stay most connected to God’s love?   How can I make more space for them this week?   Who might need me to reflect God’s love to them right now?  
Prayer: Holy and loving God, thank you for the gift of these three simple rules, not as burdens, but as guides that lead us closer to you. Teach us to pause before we speak or act. In those moments, remind us to do no harm, to look for ways to do good, and to stay rooted in your love. When we feel weary, renew us with your Spirit. When we feel unworthy, remind us of your grace. And when we forget, draw us back to you again. May our lives, flavored by your love, become a witness of hope in this world. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, the One who loved us first. Amen.  

In gratitude & grace,
Pastor Kellie